by our College Data Analytics TeamCells are the basic building blocks of life. There are infinite amounts of them, all with different functions. A major in Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences will allow you to study microscopic cells: their composition, specific functions and organization. You will learn how organisms grow, reproduce, and survive in their environments.
In order for you to completely understand cells and cell function you will take a variety of classes. These classes could include: chemistry, physics, genetics, biochemistry, physiology, biology, microbiology, and immunology.
Concentrations within this major include: Cell Biology & Histology, Anatomy, Developmental Biology & Embryology, Cell & Molecular Biology, and Cell Biology & Anatomy.
Studying Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences covers Cell/cellular Biology And Anatomical Sciences. Continue reading for the key facts every cell biology & anatomical sciences student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering cell biology & anatomical sciences programs.
In the U.S., cell biology & anatomical sciences draws strong interest, with 6,355 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 159 schools to determine the best overall colleges for cell biology & anatomical sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of cell biology & anatomical sciences programs later in this article.
Programs in Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations cell biology & anatomical sciences graduates commonly enter.
This major requires a dedicated and determined student. Cell Biology is fascinating, yet sometimes complex to understand. Students will need clear writing in order to complete lab reports and make complicated information simple to understand. You will tap into your critical thinking skills when performing experiments, doing research and completing concise short answer questions. There will be a mixture of attending lectures and participating in labs. Labs help you put into practice the theories learned in the classroom.
As you continue to work towards your degree, you will learn skills that will help you succeed in school and a career. You will be able to design, collect, evaluate, and interpret experimental data. Participate in class, work in group projects, and communicate with your professors in order to develop scientific literacy, analytical skills and time management.
The skill set built by a cell biology & anatomical sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a cell biology & anatomical sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several cell biology & anatomical sciences degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 6 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,680 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 856 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 813 |
People currently working in careers related to cell biology & anatomical sciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 35.1% |
| Master’s degree | 18.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 13.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 8.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.0% |
| Some college courses | 1.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in cell biology & anatomical sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying Cell Biology will give you a great starting point if you are planning on entering into a graduate studies program. However if you would like to jump right into a career you can find work in areas such as teaching, academic writing, research, or the legal, commercial or medical aspects are associated with cell biology.
Majoring in cell biology & anatomical sciences can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to cell biology & anatomical sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to cell biology & anatomical sciences.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cytotechnologists | 2,585,436 | 10.3% |
| Cytogenetic Technologists | 2,100,694 | 1.9% |
| Histotechnologists | 1,678,341 | 4.1% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists | 678,933 | 3.9% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Biological Technicians | 224,048 | 12.8% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of cell biology & anatomical sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $39,752 |
| 4 years | $59,833 |
| 5 years | $74,905 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for cell biology & anatomical sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers cell biology & anatomical sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Cytotechnologists | $155,812 |
| Cytogenetic Technologists | $155,361 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Histotechnologists | $125,527 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $107,979 |
With 159 different cell biology & anatomical sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased cell biology & anatomical sciences school rankings to help you.
Students interested in cell biology & anatomical sciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4,488 |
| Anatomy | 902 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology | 486 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other | 264 |
| Cell Biology and Anatomy | 127 |
| Developmental Biology and Embryology | 88 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biology, General | 101,585 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 13,820 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 12,819 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 11,175 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 9,295 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | 4,711 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | 4,612 |
| Biotechnology | 3,869 |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | 3,638 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | 3,408 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
